Vinyl pressings
by Warlock · 1986
True As Steel was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 5 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
830-237 1 1Y STERLING -2Side A runout, variant 1, etched, Sterling stamped
830-237 1 2Y STERLING C1Side B runout, variant 1, etched, Sterling stamped
830-237 1 1V STERLING 1Side A runout, variant 2, etched, Sterling stamped
830-237 1 2V STERLING 2Side B runout, variant 2, etched, Sterling stamped
830-237 - VY 1 1Y 116 V3 STERLING 2 1Runout side A, variant 1
830-237 - IIY 1 2Y 3 STERLING Y3 116Runout side B, variant 1
830-237-VY 1 1Y 711 V3 STERLING 2̶ 1Runout side A, variant 2
830-237-IIY 1 2Y 3 STERLING V3 1111Runout side B, variant 2
830-237-V⃫Y⃫ 1 1V STERLING 2 A BRunout side A
830-237-2⃫Y⃫/⃫2⃫ 1 2V STERLING 2 A CRunout side B
VERH 41 A // 1 ▽ 420 TSide One
VERH 41 B // 1 ▽ 420 TSide Two
422-830-237-1-AS-HRM STERLING A ᐉRunout A-side, etched, Sterling stamped
422-830-237-1-BS-HRM STERLING A ᐉRunout B-side, etched, Sterling stamped
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australasia | Vertigo 830 237-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Germany | Vertigo 830 237-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Germany | Vertigo 830 237-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Vertigo 830 237-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Ireland | Vertigo VERH 41First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Mercury 422-830 237-1 DJFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Mercury 422-830 237-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Mercury 830 237-1 M-1 / Mercury 422 830-237-1 M-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Vertigo VERH 41First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Mercury 830 237-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Colombia | Vertigo 830237-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | Vertigo 830 237-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Vertigo 25PP-200LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Netherlands | Music On Vinyl MOVLP056LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Vertigo 00602438511327 / Universal Music Group 00602438511327LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2023 | Italy | VertigoLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of True As Steel are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1986 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Germany, UK, US, Australasia and more. One of them is Vertigo 830 237-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 830 237-1, VERH 41, 422-830 237-1, 830 237-1 M-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 830-237 1 1Y STERLING -2 and 830-237 1 2Y STERLING C1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
